Vineyard Vines gets tied up

By Michael C Juliano, staff writer

Published 10:49 pm, Friday, March 12, 2010

Photo: Contributed Photo

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Shep Murray of Vineyard Vines; Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; Kyra, RFK Jr.’s daughter; Kristine Stratton, Exec Director of Waterkeeper Alliance; and Ian Murray. Vineyard Vines is assisting Waterkeeper Alliance, a global movement of on-the-water advocates who patrol and protect more than 100,000 miles of rivers, streams and coastlines in North America, South America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. less

"Giving back to the community has been a big part of our business," Shep Murray, Vineyard Vines' chief executive officer and co-founder, said in a phone interview Monday. "This is creating a win-win because we're creating awareness and raising funds."

Shep and his brother, Ian Murray, who in 1998 founded the Stamford-based seller of clothing and whimsical ties, on Tuesday met with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Waterkeeper Alliance's founder and an environmental activist, at Vineyard Vines' Greenwich store to announce the program, which includes featuring Waterkeeper Alliance for one month on Vineyard Vines' Web site and in its spring catalog. The store also donated 10 percent of its Tuesday proceeds to Waterkeeper Alliance, which had its products available for sale as well.

"It's clear that Waterkeeper Alliance and Vineyard Vines share a deep reverence and respect for the water and for the natural and human communities that depend so fully upon it," Kristine Stratton, Waterkeeper Alliance's executive director, said in a statement. "This partnership seemed a natural fit and we are thrilled to give those who love the water a fashionable way to show their support for defending it."

To promote the brand on the West Coast, Vineyard Vines in September held an online "How to Tie a Tie" contest. The contest was held with Tongal, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based Web site that allows people to win money for their marketing ideas.

Vineyard Vines sells its ties and "good life" apparel for men, women and children in more than 600 specialty and department stores worldwide. The company also operates nine free-standing stores in Westport; Greenwich; Boston, Edgartown, Mashpee and Nantucket, Mass.; Memphis, Tenn.; Key Largo, Fla., and Washington, D.C.

Founded by Kennedy, Irvington, N.Y.-based Waterkeeper Alliance is an international movement of advocates who patrol and protect more than 100,000 miles of rivers, streams and coastlines. The organization unites more than 190 Waterkeeper programs globally and focuses citizen advocacy on issues that affect waterways, such as pollution and climate change.

Charitable contributions from various sources always are needed and appreciated, especially in today's economy, said Ron Cretaro, executive director of the Hartford-based Association of Nonprofits, which has about 100 members in Fairfield County.

"It fills out the total picture of funding needed for nonprofits to exist," he said. "They're not turning down any business or organization that wants to help them. Every little penny helps."